PAS hits out at supposed ‘political allies’

(The Star) – PAS looks set to snub cooperation with any other Opposition party including its “ally” PKR, whom they say have been taking them for a ride.

Without naming any individual or any party, PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (pic) said it was better for the Islamist party to be friends with those who accept their ideology and agenda.

“For PAS, it is easier to cooperate with an ally who is honest rather than being in a relationship with those who want to take advantage of us,” he said in a statement Wednesday night.

Tuan Ibrahim then took a jibe at a “political ally”, for taking an advantage of them during previous Sarawak state elections and the subsequent Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections.

“There was this party that had their candidates all lined up, but the party machinery and workers were not in sight.

“Worse, there was this party that dumped all the candidates’ posters and party flags at our door and told us to handle it.

“We would not mind if the party is a year or two-years old, but this party has been around for so long and only appears during elections,” he said.

Tuan Ibrahim said he also found it strange that Opposition parties who want PAS’ agreement on seat distribution were the ones who had accused them of cooperating with Umno.

“PAS was made a punching bag, we were attacked by all these lies suggesting that we would cooperate with Umno and that we were “animal feed (dedak)” from Umno.

“While we were under attack they remained hopeful of forging cooperation with us. Isn’t it strange?” he asked.

PAS was part of the now defunct Pakatan Rakyat before they had a fallout with DAP.

However, they remained allies with PKR, governing the Selangor state government together.

After the formation of the new Pakatan Harapan Opposition pact – consisting of PKR, DAP and PAS’ splinter party Parti Amanah Negara – PAS forged cooperation with Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) and called themselves a “constructive opposition” bloc.

But the situation became more complicated with newly-established Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Pribumi), led by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, coming into the picture.

Dr Mahathir had called on all Opposition parties, including PAS, to work together in order to defeat Barisan Nasional in the next general election.

PAS, however, refused to give up any of their seats to Pribumi.